About Saint Jude Parish · Columbiana, Ohio
Saint Jude Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Columbiana, Ohio, in the Diocese of Youngstown. Established in 1966 as a mission that grew out of Saint Patrick Parish in Leetonia, Saint Jude has its church at 180 Seventh Street. For many years it has shared pastoral ministry with nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in East Palestine, and as of January 1, 2026 the two parishes were merged along with Saint Patrick (Leetonia) into the new Saint Carlo Acutis Parish under the reconfiguration plan of Bishop David J. Bonnar. Today the parish offers a full schedule of weekend and weekday Masses in English, weekly Confession, Friday Adoration (extended on First Fridays), CCD religious education, and a wide range of lay ministries serving the Columbiana County community.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- Saint Jude (the Apostle; patron of hopeless or difficult causes)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Chad Johnson, V.F.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown (Columbiana County Deanery; since January 1, 2026 the parish is a worship site of Saint Carlo Acutis Parish within the same diocese)
Why belong here
Saint Jude offers a welcoming small-town Catholic community in Columbiana with a full sacramental life: Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass, weekday Masses, regular Confession, and Friday Eucharistic Adoration (extended to all day on First Fridays). Families have access to CCD religious education, a Pastoral Council that parishioners can nominate candidates to serve on, fitness and fellowship programs at the Activity Center, and active outreach through Catholic Charities and parish groups. Worship is celebrated in English across both the Saint Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes worship sites, making it easy for Columbiana County Catholics to find a Mass that fits their week.
Mass times at Saint Jude Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 9:00–10:00 AM (Saint Jude, during Holy Hour)
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM (Saint Jude)
- Wednesday 9:00–10:00 AM (Our Lady of Lourdes, during Holy Hour)
- 1st Friday of the month 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saint Jude)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00–10:00 AM (Saint Jude)
- 1st Friday of the month 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saint Jude)
- Wednesday 9:00–10:00 AM (Our Lady of Lourdes)
History of Saint Jude Parish
Saint Jude began in 1958–1960 when Catholic families in Columbiana asked Bishop Emmet M. Walsh of Youngstown for their own parish. After meeting with the Columbiana Council of Catholic Men, the Bishop directed Msgr. John Lettau to scout sites, and nearly ten acres at the end of Seventh Street were purchased in 1960. The first Mass was offered at Joshua Dixon Elementary School on November 6, 1960, and the community worshiped and held CCD classes there for nearly a decade.
From Mission to Parish (1965–1970)
In September 1965, Rev. Frank Lehnerd was appointed administrator of the mission, a second Sunday Mass was added, and the patronage of Saint Jude was adopted. On March 2, 1966, Bishop James W. Malone elevated the mission to territorial parish status and named Msgr. P. Breen Malone its first pastor. A rapid succession of pastors (Msgr. Malone, Fr. James F. Stenson, Fr. David Lettau, Fr. Donald Oser) shepherded the construction of the present church, which was formally dedicated by Bishop Malone on August 9, 1970.
- Patronage of Saint Jude adopted: 1965
- Elevated to parish: March 2, 1966
- Groundbreaking: September 1969
- First Mass in new church (First Communion): May 2, 1970
- Formal dedication by Bishop Malone: August 9, 1970
Growth and Building (1971–1995)
Rev. Robert V. Flynn grew the parish from 125 to 450 families, and the Saint Jude Activity Center was built and dedicated on December 14, 1980. Under Rev. Gabriel Yablonsky, Deacons Eugene Basile and Louis Cosentino were ordained for the parish and the 25th anniversary was celebrated on March 6, 1991.
- Saint Jude Activity Center dedicated: December 14, 1980
- Deacon Eugene Basile ordained: August 20, 1980
- Deacon Louis Cosentino ordained: December 27, 1986
- 25th Anniversary: March 6, 1991
Pastoral Stability and New Facilities (1995–2014)
Rev. Thomas Ziegler's long pastorate (1995–2014) saw new offices and classrooms (2001), the current rectory begun across from the church (2006), and a 2009 collaboration with Our Lady of Lourdes in East Palestine. Deacon Terry Coulter was ordained in January 1999, and in 2010 the parish celebrated the ordination of Rev. Brian Cline, a son of the parish.
- Parish Offices & classrooms built: 2001
- Current rectory begun: 2006
- Collaboration with Our Lady of Lourdes began: 2009
- Rev. Brian Cline ordained: 2010
Renovation and Reconfiguration (2014–2026)
Rev. Christopher Cicero oversaw a major expansion and renovation of the church (ground broken 2017, completed 2019). He was succeeded by Rev. David Misbrenner in 2020. In September 2023, Very Rev. Chad Johnson, V.F., became pastor of both Saint Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes, then of Saint Patrick (Leetonia) as well. On November 29, 2025, Bishop David J. Bonnar announced that the three parishes would merge into Saint Carlo Acutis Parish effective January 1, 2026.
- Church renovation groundbreaking: 2017
- Church renovation completed: 2019
- Fr. Chad Johnson appointed: September 2023
- Merger into Saint Carlo Acutis Parish announced: November 29, 2025
- Merger effective: January 1, 2026
Parish Staff and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is led by Very Rev. Chad Johnson, V.F., who also serves as Dean of Columbiana County and Director of the Diocese of Youngstown's Office of Church Vocations. He is assisted by two permanent deacons, a seminarian intern, and a staff team handling liturgy/music, finances, faith formation, and maintenance.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Chad Johnson, V.F.
- Permanent Deacons: Christopher Evans and Lawrence Pasko
- Seminarian Intern: Arthur Bodenschatz
- Administrative Assistant: Jennifer Corvino
- Director of Liturgy & Sacred Music: Joshua Pietrowski
- Comptroller of Finances: Richard Altomare, Jr.
- Director of Faith Formation & Safe Environment Compliance Officer: Gloria Stack
- Director of Maintenance & Grounds: Christopher Hammond
- Music Director: Josh Pietrowski
- Parish Office Contact: Mary Burkey ([email protected])
Faith Formation and Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program provides religious education for the children of the parish, supported on site by Mrs. Gloria Stack (Director of Faith Formation & Safe Environment Compliance Officer). The parish also draws on the Diocese of Youngstown's Office of Faith Formation & Lay Ecclesial Ministry for additional resources.
- CCD program for parish children
- Safe Environment / child protection compliance per Diocesan policy
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Liturgy and Sacred Music
All Masses are currently celebrated in English. The Director of Liturgy & Sacred Music, Mr. Joshua Pietrowski, coordinates the liturgical and musical life of the parish, including the extended First Friday schedule of Adoration. The most recent major renovation of the church was completed under Rev. Christopher Cicero in 2019.
- English-language Masses at both worship sites
- Director of Liturgy & Sacred Music: Joshua Pietrowski
- Church expansion and renovation completed: 2019
Parish Activity Center and Community Life
The Saint Jude Activity Center, dedicated December 14, 1980, is the hub of parish fellowship and community programming. Recent offerings have included Monday exercise and fitness classes (Chair Fitness, Intro Fitness, Intermediate Fitness, Advanced Fitness), and the facility is also available for parish hall rental (330-482-2351).
- Saint Jude Activity Center dedicated: December 14, 1980
- Monday fitness programming (Chair, Intro, Intermediate, Advanced)
- Parish Hall Rental: 330-482-2351
Pastoral Council and Parishioner Engagement
Saint Jude maintains an active Pastoral Council and invites parishioners to nominate candidates to serve. The Parish Council nomination form is highlighted on the parish website's homepage, and parishioner registration is available online for newcomers to formally join the parish.
- Pastoral Council Nomination Form available on the parish website
- Parishioner Registration form available online
- Year B liturgical cycle in use at time of latest bulletin
Outreach, Vocations, and Diocesan Connection
Saint Jude participates in the wider mission of the Diocese of Youngstown, including Catholic Charities outreach, vocations awareness (the parish pastor, Fr. Chad Johnson, also directs the diocesan Office of Church Vocations), and the safe-environment/child-protection program. The parish website has highlighted recent diocesan priestly ordinations, including Fr. Kevin Bertleff and Fr. William Wainio in 2024.
- Catholic Charities (Diocesan Director: Rachel Hrbolich)
- Office of Church Vocations directed by Fr. Chad Johnson
- 2024 Ordination of Fr. Kevin Bertleff & Fr. William Wainio celebrated on parish site
Becoming Saint Carlo Acutis Parish (2026)
On November 29, 2025, Bishop David J. Bonnar announced that Saint Jude Parish (Columbiana, est. 1966) would be merged with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (East Palestine, est. 1880) and Saint Patrick Parish (Leetonia, est. 1861) into a new entity named Saint Carlo Acutis Parish, effective January 1, 2026. The new patron, Carlo Acutis (1991–2006), was a young Italian known for his Eucharistic devotion, love of the poor and people with disabilities, and his creation of an exhibit on Eucharistic Miracles; he was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on September 7, 2025. The unified parish uses Saint Jude Church (180 Seventh Street, Columbiana) as its primary worship site and mailing address.
- New parish name: Saint Carlo Acutis
- Effective date: January 1, 2026
- Primary worship site: Saint Jude Church, 180 Seventh St., Columbiana
- Secondary sites: Our Lady of Lourdes (East Palestine) and St. Patrick (Leetonia)
- Patron: Saint Carlo Acutis (1991–2006), canonized by Pope Leo XIV, September 7, 2025
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. P. Breen MaloneMarch 1966 – June 1967
First pastor; received the mission when Bishop Malone elevated it to territorial parish status.
- Rev. James F. StensonJune 1967 – June 1968
Quickly succeeded Msgr. Malone.
- Rev. David LettauJune 1968 – June 1970
Oversaw purchase of first rectory on North Cross Street and the 1969 groundbreaking for the new church.
- Rev. Donald OserJune 1970 – June 1971
Succeeded Fr. Lettau as the new church opened for worship and was dedicated by Bishop Malone.
- Rev. Robert V. FlynnJune 1971 – July 1984
Grew the parish from 125 to 450 families; oversaw construction and December 14, 1980 dedication of the Saint Jude Activity Center.
- Rev. Gabriel YablonskyJuly 1984 – July 1991
Ordination of Deacons Eugene Basile (1980) and Louis Cosentino (1986) assigned to the parish; celebrated the 25th anniversary on March 6, 1991.
- Rev. Edward WieczorekJuly 1991 – August 1995
Succeeded Fr. Yablonsky.
- Rev. Thomas ZieglerAugust 1995 – February 2014
Long pastorate: new offices/classrooms (2001), current rectory begun (2006), and 2009 collaboration with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Ordained Deacon Terry Coulter (1999); Rev. Brian Cline (a son of the parish) ordained priest in 2010.
- Rev. Christopher CiceroFebruary 2014 – 2020
Joint pastor of Saint Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes; broke ground on and completed the major church expansion/renovation (2017–2019).
- Rev. David Misbrenner2020 – September 2023
Succeeded Fr. Cicero as joint pastor; celebrated the 2023 Easter Vigil at which five candidates were received.
- Very Rev. Chad Johnson, V.F.September 2023 – present
Appointed by Bishop David J. Bonnar; also named pastor of Saint Patrick, Leetonia, and Dean of Columbiana County; leads the parish as it became part of Saint Carlo Acutis Parish effective January 1, 2026.